Association between gabapentin use and risk of dementia in adults with chronic pain

Study objective: To explore the association between gabapentin use and the risk of dementia in patients with chronic pain, considering the rising concerns of dementia in an aging population and the potential cognitive impacts of chronic pain management. Design: A nested case-control study utilizing data from a longitudinal health insurance database. Setting: The study is based on a longitudinal health insurance database spanning 2000–2019 in Taiwan. Patients: A total of 201,492 patients aged 50 years and older diagnosed with chronic pain between 2001 and 2017 were included. The study focused on individuals with chronic pain, excluding those diagnosed with dementia a year before or after their chronic pain diagnosis. Intervention: Analysis of gabapentin prescription history was conducted, considering the cumulative dose from the chronic pain diagnosis date to the dementia diagnosis date or equivalent period for controls. Measurement: Data included demographics, gabapentin prescription history, and comorbidities. Logistic regression was used to estimate odds ratios for dementia risk. Main results: No significant difference in the risk of dementia was found between low and high cumulative doses of gabapentin. The adjusted odds ratio for dementia risk associated with gabapentin use was 0.91 (95 % C.I. 0.83–1.01), indicating no substantial increase in risk. Conclusion: Long-term Gabapentin therapy for chronic pain is not associated with a differential risk of dementia across dosage levels, irrespective of age or gender. Further study into its potential cognitive impacts is essential.